Academic Policies

Special Programs

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Cross-Enrollment Programs

ArtCenter has an approved Cross-Enrollment Program with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Occidental College. Full-time ArtCenter students may enroll in non-studio courses at one of these two campuses for no additional tuition charge. ArtCenter students must be enrolled in a full- time course load, 12 units or more, to be eligible for cross-enrollment at Caltech or Occidental College.

Courses taken at Caltech or Occidental must be approved and apply directly to the student’s ArtCenter degree requirements. For more information about this program, contact Enrollment Services.

Special Status Programs

On occasion, ArtCenter admits a few select students to its Special Status Program. These students are allowed to attend ArtCenter classes for up to three terms without the intent to complete a degree. These students are charged the current tuition rate. Certain academic policies do not apply to these students; however, they must still abide by all College deadlines, policies, financial obligations, enrollment policies and student conduct policies.

Those admitted under Special Status are not entitled to all benefits, programs and services afforded to degree-seeking students, including financial aid, scholarships or institutionally sponsored internships. Courses taken in this program will not be applied toward an ArtCenter degree at any time. Admission to this program is subject to the approval and terms established by the Admissions and the Department Chairs offices.

International students in the Special Status Program must be enrolled in either full-time or approved ACL terms throughout the program in order to maintain non-immigrant status while studying in the U.S. International students in the Special Status Program are advised to consult with the International Student Advisor in the Center for the Student Experience.

ArtCenter Honors Term

ArtCenter Honors Term is a program in which an undergraduate student may enroll for an additional term after graduation at no tuition cost to pursue an area of study of special interest. To apply, the student must complete and sign an ArtCenter Honors Term application and submit two Faculty Recommendation forms, a Department Chair Recommendation form and a portfolio. The portfolio can consist of graduating portfolio pieces and any work the student feels will represent his or her interests and abilities in the area of study chosen for the ArtCenter Honors Term.

If accepted into the ArtCenter Honors Term program, the student must make a $1,000 deposit prior to graduating from ArtCenter. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the ArtCenter Honors Term if the student satisfactorily completes the term. If the student withdraws, is suspended or is expelled, the deposit will be forfeited. All grades received in an ArtCenter Honors Term are calculated separately from the student’s undergraduate GPA.

Financial aid beyond tuition remission is not available for the ArtCenter Honors Term program.

International students should consult with the International Student Advisor in the Center for the Student Experience regarding eligibility for an ArtCenter Honors Term.

Graduate Fellows Program

The Graduate Fellows Program allows exceptional graduate students who have graduated an opportunity to pursue additional research within an approved area of study for one term at no tuition cost. This program allows a select number of students to explore areas not covered in their graduate course of study.

Graduate Fellows terms are not granted to those who wish to use the College’s facilities to generally improve their portfolios. Graduate Fellows terms are granted to students pursuing specific research activities that are considered to be of merit.

To apply, students must complete and sign a Graduate Fellows application and submit two Faculty Recommendation forms, a Department Chair Recommendation form and a portfolio. The portfolio can consist of graduating portfolio pieces and any work the student feels will represent his or her interests and abilities in the area of study chosen for the Graduate Fellows Program.

If accepted into the Graduate Fellows Program, the student must make a $1,000 deposit prior to graduating from ArtCenter. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the Graduate Fellows term if the student satisfactorily completes the term. If the student withdraws, is suspended or is expelled, the deposit will be forfeited. All grades received for Graduate Fellows are calculated separately from the student’s graduate GPA.

Financial aid beyond tuition remission is not available for the Graduate Fellows Program.

International students should consult with the International Student Advisor in the Center for the Student Experience regarding eligibility for the Graduate Fellows Program.